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​Welcome Jeremy Ryan!Jeremy Ryan, our new Youth and Family Ministry Director, starts full time Wednesday, August 1. This time is a busy one for his family, as Jeremy, Dasia, and son Ronin were moving from Longmont to their new home, south of St. Francis hospital.

Many of you have met Jeremy at worship or various events. If you haven’t, make sure to introduce yourself in the coming weeks.

Outdoor Movie! When’s the last time you saw a movie outside? Well its happening at BFLC on Friday, August 3. We’ll be showing the movie, “I Can Only Imagine”, for all ages. The fun starts at 7:00 PM. Bring a chair or blanket and come enjoy the popcorn.

Black Forest FestivalThe Black Forest Festival is Saturday, August 11 and we at BFLC have great plans for it. Before and after the parade we’ll have lots of fun activities for kids and families. The Evangelism and Youth Committees have teamed up for this great day of face painting, magic man, parachute games and more.

We'd love to have you come and help out. It’s a great way for families to know BFLC is here. Sign-up to volunteer! Kids, parents, everyone! Saturday, August 11 at 8:00a. Evangelism Committee is looking for volunteers to set-up, register people, games, hand-out postcards. Let church office know if you can help.

NALC Lutheran WeekThe North America Lutheran Church ‘Lutheran Week’ is being held for the first time close to home in Denver, August 13-17. The week includes The Youth Leaders Symposium, Lecture in Theology, Mission Festival and the NALC Convocation.

Many ‘locals’ are needed to welcome, help with registration, and be friendly, I encourage you to sign-up for a part of the week and see our larger church in action. See Lisa for schedule.

Summer Intergenerational EventsSkysox Baseball Game was a "hit"!

BINGO Night had 50 participants, it was a great evening out!

NEXT UP!August 3, Outdoor Friday Night at the Movies: ‘I Can Only Imagine.’ Let’s experience an outdoor movie together at BFLC. Bring a blanket and a friend as we watch this movie about Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian Band, MercyMe. Come around 7:00 PM.

September - stay tuned for details about BUNKO night!

Senior Social - August 22 at 1:00 PMJoin us for our monthly get together to socialize, play dominoes, or do crafts. There is no obligation to participate in the games. Individuals bring their own crafts to work on. Others use the opportunity to just sit and talk. Light snacks are provided.

Lemonade/Gingersnap SundayThe Social Ministry Committee will host its annual Lemonade and Gingersnap Sunday following outdoor worship on Sunday, August 12. This is a fundraiser to enhance the yearly financial gift BFLC gives to our Mission Partner - Cristo Rey in El Paso, TX. The gingersnaps made by members of the Committee are homemade and melt in your mouth! The lemonade will be ice cold. Please join us!

Update on our missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Didi PanzoFarming is especially important in Boma because many people do not have enough to eat. The farmland is mostly rented and is about 9 miles, along a path, from where people live. It is not easy to get the food back to the village to sell or eat.

From Black Forest and other churches, Didi has provided about $700 for seeds for a group of about twenty families. Most of the work is done by women. They are at home until about ten. The farming stops about four, so they can prepare food for their families.

There is a swampy area, where rice is being grown. Snakes are an example of the creatures they have to deal with. There are no machines or animals to assist. Hand implements, such as a hoe are made by a local blacksmith. There is a little stream to provide water for irrigation.

Mark your calendar: August 26 is our Annual Congregational Picnic!“Gather Together in Thanksgiving”Join us after outdoor worship to give thanks to God for our church community and all those who volunteer at BFLC. Please RSVP to the church office.

Special Thank You'sThank you to everyone for their generous "birthday money" given on July 1. $567 was raised for Fisher House which sponsors comfort homes for military and veterans' families who can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical care. There are 76 homes across the United States and even one in Great Britain.

Thank you for all of your support to help make ‘VBS 2018’ a success! We had 34 kids from our church and community participate. With the help of 6 junior counselors and 8 adult volunteers the week went very smoothly. Also, a special thanks to those who provided snacks for the campers, as well as, meals and lodging for the Rainbow Trail counselors.

Dear Church Family,We are deeply grateful for your contribution of $750. Your donation will go a long way in helping people in our neighborhood.Warm regards,Captain David Kauffman

Dear BFLC,Thank you so much for your recent gift of $204.00 to Rainbow Trail’s Annual Fund. Yours in Christ,David Jarvis

A big thank you to everyone who helped fill the box with school supplies for LFS, along with the gift cards. Also, a thank you to Chris Cooper for her help and Kristen Martin from LFS for picking up the supplies. We can all pray for a successful and safe school year.Thank you and God's Peace, Susan Harrison

Women’s Refresh DayJoin Rebecca and a team of BFLC ladies on August 4, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM for an in-house women’s retreat. Choose to slow down and do yoga, receive reflexology or indulge in quiet time to tune into how God is moving in your life. Enjoy slowing down, intentional time with other women and check out a few book recommendations.

Ladies Evening Bible Study There has been some interest expressed in an evening bible study for women. Coming in September we will begin with What Matter’s Most: A Study of Phillipians by Karen Ehman.Please, contact Jeanette or the office if you are interested.

The office will be closing at noon on Fridays in August.

Look what’s Back! Recycle Your Cards What do you do with all those beautiful Christmas cards sent to you? What about all the sample cards from organizations wanting a donation? Do you feel sad throwing out lovely birthday and anniversary cards you’ve received? Well, they can be recycled. BFLC will be collecting them (look for the basket in the fellowship hall.) and sending them to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children for its Recycled Card Program. St. Jude’s turns the cards into “new” cards and sells them in packets. All occasion cards are accepted; birthday, anniversary, thank you, get well, holiday, etc.

Volunteers NeededSocial Ministry Committee Volunteers are needed for 2018 NALC Lutheran Week, August 13-17, in Denver. I have received all the days and times that they need volunteers so please call Lisa or stop in the office and sign-up. ASAP.

Safeway & King Soopers Gift Cards - Support for Black Forest Cares Black Forest Lutheran Church participates in the “Reloadable Gift Card” Program that is offered by Safeway and King Soopers grocery stores. There is no cost to you, but once all participants’ combined purchases reach $5,000, Black Forest Cares receives a check for $250 (5%)! This money is then used to purchase the items needed to fill the grocery bags given to clients to provide a balanced diet.

We encourage our members who shop at either Safeway or Kings to participate! It starts with the purchase of a gift card for $10. The card has $10 on it, so there is no cost to you. The card must be purchased through the church so the proceeds are linked to Black Forest Cares. On average participation through our members generate almost $1,000 annually.

For more information about this project or to purchase a $10 card, please contact Mary Montie.

Marion House Soup KitchenVolunteers for Marian House Black Forest Lutheran Church works at the Marian House Soup Kitchen at 14 Bijou Street on the last Thursday of every month from 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM. On an average we serve close to 700 men, women and children. We normally have from 12-16 volunteers from BFLC.

If you are in a position to give one day a month to this worthwhile project, please contact me. We team up with members from Holy Trinity Catholic Church and have formed some great relationships. BFLC also works on fifth Saturdays, so if you are not available during the week, we can always use the help on those Saturdays.Bill Montie

Mom's GroupThe BFLC Mom’s Group has a faithful group of young mothers who have enjoyed Bible Studies, Yoga, and visits to the park. They meet regularly on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions or would like to join these ladies, contact Misty Hopp.

Intergenerational Event - Dead Sea Scrolls See authentic Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient manuscripts that include the oldest known biblical documents dating back over 2,000 years!Cost: $25.95 adult, $21.95 senior (age 65+), $17.95 junior (ages 3–18). Students receive 10% off adult admission with their ID.All tickets include general Museum admission. Carpooling is a good idea! Meet at church at 8:30 AM or at the museum at 9:45 AM. Open until 5:00 PM. Sign up if interested and we'll get a group to pick a date before September 3.

A note from Rebecca…. Welcome Jeremy August 1! I am thrilled to see how Jeremy Ryan and his family are integrating into our faith family here at Black Forest Lutheran. I am confident he will attune his ear to God's guidance and joy as he serves and leads Youth and Family Ministries here at BFLC.

It's been the most fulfilling, spiritually stretching, humbling, creative & relational job I've ever had: Praise God! I've loved this season back at BFLC: working with Captain Lisa, compassionate and practical Jeanette, and truly, PK, has been an honor. Each of the parents, kids, mentors I've had the privilege to walk alongside this fall, winter and summer have impacted my life, revealing God's goodness in both times of glory and grit.

I'm continuing to seek His will as I "water my roots" in Norway this fall. I will return, God willing, to continue to water the seeds planted here in BFLC in a women's ministry direction. I appreciate your prayers for God's provision and discernment. Love and light to each of you at my church, faith family at BFLC.~Rebecca Noelani Hohag

Stuff the Tonka truck for NALC Disaster Response Bring gift cards to the church and we will send with Mary Montie to help disaster victims. The Women of the NALC will again “stuff the truck” for NALC Disaster Response during Lutheran Week August 13-17 in Denver, Colo.

However, this year the “stuff the truck” event will feature a Tonka toy truck. Instead of bringing household goods (like last year), we will stuff gift cards into a Tonka toy truck. When purchasing gift cards, please consider chain stores that are in many places across North America, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target or Walmart. Gift cards can be in any amount.

The ‘Power of Prayer’ is amazing! Our prayer group would like to include you or your loved ones in their prayers. Let the office know if you or someone you love is experiencing difficulties or scheduling a surgery. Our church community is here for you!

“Young Adults” are busy this summer

Bible Study on Tuesdays! See JC with questions!

Game Night: Wednesdays are Game Night at Clappers at 6:00 PM! Show up when you can!